RA nurse appointment

[cpr02]

Can anyone tell me what they do ? I have a appointment with one in January but not actually sure what this will involve? My symptoms have greatly reduced since starting the right medication

Thanks !

Just don't want to attend and waste their time!

[Stayloose]

It is usually a monitoring appt to see how you are getting on. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions, get another prescription if you have it from the hosp etc.

[Hidden]

Do keep this appointment even if you feel well. Getting an appointment with a consultant or registrar is difficult and we don’t see them often. Having a regular appointment with the same clinic nurse if you can means you can build up a good relationship ( if this nurse is good) if or when things take a turn for the worse she will be the one to turn too and make all the difference... I only learnt this myself this last week... she’s worth her weight in gold.😁

[cpr02 in reply to Hidden]

Okay thanks will keep it ... how often is regular if okay to ask ? X

[Hidden in reply to cpr02]

It depends on how your doing... I’m lucky if things are bad I can email her and get an appointment within a week. Personally I would like to be seen every 6 months/ nurse then rheumatologist . Hope this helps

[Oshgosh]

I don’t think you will be wasting your time.

The RA nurse will want to know how you are going on.

Check any potential side effects

May look at change medication slightly .

Also she works closely with the consultants,will have regular contact with them.

I would keep the appointment with the nurse,

Glad medication is working for you

[HappykindaGal]

They will probably look at your blood tests to see if they’re going in the right direction. Also massage each joint to see if that’s changed and ask you questions. At a guess anyway 😀

[Biofreak]

Definitely keep it. Good rheumatology nurses are great. They need to monitor your progress and if anything like mine they will be asking how you feel, taking blood to check all is ok, and listening to any problems you may have been having. All this is put on your file to review if necessary. Glad you're doing well.

[Funswim]

hi there. Your nurse is of huge importance. She will have the ability to assess you at any time and can get you seen if urgent. She will be at the end of the phone if your health authority has an emergency call back line for messages.She can get you seen by a consultant more quickly and can organise prescriptions and change medication but most of all she will assess you in your own right. This disease is different for every individual and if you build up a good relationship then she will support you through all the ups and downs and even organise a steroid injection when you feel at your worst if it is suitable for you. She can organise x rays and get you seen by other specialists if you have a problem beyond her expertise.

I have seen several as I have had to change hospitals and have found them to be very sympathetic, although overworked and a bit short - staffed

I would recommend you to keep the appointment and let yourself be known to them.They can answer all those things you feel you should ask then forget when you see the consultant! I would make a list before you go of questions that pop up along the way, so you come out feeling more confident and in control of your disease.

[stbernhard]

Hi CPR, have a look at this link nras.org.uk/meeting-the-rhe... (NRAS website, search "nurse"). Its a bit extensive, but worth a read. Make sure you have a list of everything you want to ask even if it seems trivial to you. This will help the nurse tremendously to make the best of your time with her/him. Make sure you get an answer to all of it. Good luck.

[Dodo1943]

I’ve only seen my Consultant twice since diagnosis in April 2016 by a Registrar.

I now see my Rheumy Nurse, who is actually a male Doctor, every six months, or sometimes a little sooner if he’s referred me for x-ray, etc. This suits me perfectly, with monitored bi-monthly blood tests. He is very charming, welcomes me enthusiastically; apologises for any delay and thanks me profusely afterwards for having attended.

This ‘decrepit old bird’ is a ‘happy bunny’ in ‘clinical remission’!